OSSC – Open Source Scan Converter (Retrogaming RGB Video Upscaler)

The affordable XRGB Mini Framemeister alternative is here for retrogamers – the OSSC Zero Lag Upscaler!

Quite simply, if you are into playing any retro game consoles from the 80s or 90s on your flatscreen TV, and you care about having the best possible image quality without introducing input-lag, then this is an essential piece of gear for your gaming setup!

OSSC – Open Source Scan Converter Features

1. ‘Zero Lag’ video upscaling via FPGA technology.
2. De-interlacing of 480i video signals (as found on some PS1, Gamecube and Wii games).
3. Lag-free multi-device analog to digital video conversion.
4. Line-doubling for 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x image upscaling, with a crisp output to match your TV’s display resolution.
5. Scanline effect, with scanline strength adjustable from 0-100%.

Why do I need an upscaler?

Older game consoles run at much lower resolutions – usually from 240p to 480i/480p – while modern TV’s run at 1080p or 4K 2160p! Fortunately, your TV does have a built in upscaler, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to send any other resolutions to your screen. Unfortunately however, TV manufacturers don’t put much effort into their upscaler technology, meaning the upscaled image quality is usualy poor/blurry, and the processing of the image upscaling introduces input-lag… not a good thing when gaming.

So what is input lag?

When a TV needs to process the incoming video signal, this causes a delay in the final image being shown on your screen. For watching a movie or TV, this isn’t a problem. But when playing a game, having a delay between pressing a button and the image on your TV reflecting that button press, can be critical to the enjoyment of a game!

Input-lag is the amount of time between pressing a button, and that action being reflected on screen. With older retro consoles being analogue, there was vertually no input lag, making games feel immediate and responsive (yay!). However with any digital technology, there is some degree of processing which introduces lag… and the way modern TVs upscale a low resolution signal can introduce VERY noticable amounts of lag 🙁

The OSSC excels in this area by using FPGA technology (feel free to read up on it, as the technology is very interesting!), which enables specific yet powerful execution of commands – like upscaling an image – with incredible accuracy and speed.

Retrogaming Scanline Effect

For those who remember playing video games on an old CRT TV back in the day, you’ll remember the natural ‘scanline’ effect which was the result of a TV displaying any 240p image. Funny enough, the scanline effect was simply the result of TVs blanking out every second line of a 240p signal to essentally fill the required 480p screen space. The OSSC can now add those scanlines back into your games, which can be a desired effect when playing a classic console on a modern LED TV, or even if playing a game on any screen which can’t accept a native 240p signal.

The Ultimate Retro Console RGB Video Output Accessory

Please keep in mind that the OSSC is designed for processing RGB signals from a SCART, component video or VGA input source. It is NOT designed for handling a composite AV (yellow, red & white RCAs) or S-Video signal. With that said however, you’ll find over in our Gaming Cables section RGB video cables for most classic consoles, including the Sega Master System and Mega Drive, 8-Bit NES, Super Nintendo, N64, Gamecube and Wii, plus the first three PlayStation generations (PS1, PS2 and PS3).

So if you’re after the very best image quality from your loved console, be sure to check out our RGB cable range.

Input & Outputs

• Video Inputs:
  • RGB SCART (Clean Csync, Cvideo Sync, Brightness Sync, RGsB, Ypbpr)
  • Component Video (Support RGBHV, RGB, RGsB, Ypbpr)
  • VGA (Supports RGBHV, RGB, RGsB, Ypbpr)
• Audio Input: 3.5mm Stereo Audio
• Output: HDMI (Video+Audio)

Composite & S-Video are NOT supported and require a separate adapter/transcoder.

Input Resolutions

• 240p/288p/480i/576i (15khz)
• 25Khz medium-res modes
• 480p/576p/720p/1080i (31khz)

Supported Output Resolutions

• 240p/288p -> 480p/576p or 720p line triple (compatible displays only)
• 240p/288p -> 1280×960, 1280×1152, 1080p, 1600×1200 line quadruple/quintuple (compatible displays only)
• 25Khz medium-res modes -> 480p
• 480i/576i -> 480p/576p or pass-through
• 480p -> pass-through or 960p line-double (compatible displays only)
• all other 31khz resolutions passed through

Awesome features include:

• Cable Chick 12-Month Warranty!
• Converts RGB SCART, Component Video & VGA to HDMI, with Upscaling & Scanline options
• Support for 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input (output via HDMI)
• OSSC v1.7 in new fully-enclosed case!
• Virtually lag-free video processing – ideal for gaming
• Backlit LCD screen
• Full function remote control with OSD (on-screen display)
• Up to 15 profile save slots for settings
• Compatible with HDMI Splitters and capture devices for live-streaming your games
• Colour: Black
• Package Includes: OSSC, AU power adapter (DC 5V 1A), remote control
• Online product manual: 705KB PDF Guide